Thursday, February 19, 2015
I had the best of intentions today. Yuma is so happy we don’t have to hike today.
After breakfast, I loaded the jeep with laundry and I was going to have a nice quiet laundry day. Went into Borrego Springs and drove by the Laundromat and there was a crowd there. Only one in town, so it is usually crowded in the morning.
Before I left camp this morning, I had been checking the Internet for hikes around the area and Hellhole Canyon is just 2 miles up the road from the Laundromat on S22.
I am feeling pretty good, so decided to go check it out. I can do the laundry on the way home. Stopped at the trailhead and read the sign.
2.8 miles to to Maidenhair Falls. That’s five miles up and down. I figured if I get tired, I can always turn back. Sure!
Of course, I pick the warmest day of the week. Supposed to get to 87 today. That will certainly take its toll. The hike starts out on a sandy path that has a slight incline towards Hellhole Canyon almost 2 miles up the mountain. I’m guessing that the last half mile has all the beauty and the rest is just getting there.
Yuma is thinking, “Here we go again.” We are headed for that canyon in the center of the photo. Nearly two miles just to get to the narrows.
They really emphasis carrying enough water. The heat and lack of shade can get the unwary.
Sorry Moonfly, this is the best flower shot I came up with today. Yuma will keep looking for a nice bed of wildflowers to lie in and I will be sure to get a photo.
About two miles into the canyon, we came upon our first palm trees. Soon, there was a grove of them and the shade was a welcome relief.
As we left the palm trees, we started getting closer to Maidenhair Falls. Yuma found the water from the falls refreshing.
Unfortunately, the water coming over the falls was just a dribble. Hard to see the water falling, but there is a small amount and we could hear it. There was a little frog in the rocks just singing up a storm, but I could never see the little guy.
Yuma and I at Maidenhair Falls in Hellhole Canyon.
Yuma takes one look at how far we have to walk and just plops down in the nearest shady spot.
He did this all the way down the canyon. Of course, I was raring to go.
No laundry today and another night of twofers. Two soaking feet and two Tylenols.
See you later.
Love the "plopping"!!! Very pretty scenery!
ReplyDeleteKarenInTheWoods and Steveio
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Thanks Karen. Looks like you two have some pretty scenery at Elephant Butte S.P. I will have to try that one on the way home. I like state parks. Usually not crowded this time of year.
DeleteWOW !! Some of your best photography ever - Really enjoyed the shot of you and Yuma with the yellow flowers of the brittlebush - and all those palms and ferns were so green - having plenty of water for both of you is so critical - I did a lot of walking in Death Valley a couple years ago mostly at temps over 100 and I wore a Camelbak - much easier than bottles or canteens - I enjoy reading your blog because it is purely an RV travel blog about a man and his dog exploring the Southwest. Your beautiful photos are a gift for those of us who love the desert but for whatever reason can't be there right now. Carry plenty of water and be safe ! PS - the best wildflower websites are : desertusa.com - click on plants, then wildflower updates also abdnha.org - click on nature, then wildflower report Soon you will see them everywhere !!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Moonfly. I will definitely check them out. I read Desert USA all the time, but never went to the Plant link.
DeleteI write this blog for my family and they don't want any personal opinions from me, so I stick with showing them where I am and what I am doing through my narratives and photos. Glad others like the blog too.
I know how it is to want to travel but circumstances prevent it. Now, just happens to be my window of opportunity.
I love the palm canyons. There's one out near Indio...Pushawalla Canyon. I hiked back there once to meet my cousin who rode in on horseback. Beautiful area! Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteCheryl Ann
Thank you, Cheryl Ann. There is a horse trail here too. It would be neat to ride a horse through the horse trails out here. Unfortunately, Dolly is the horse rider, not me. For some reason I have never ridden a horse. A mule once and he bounced me off his back.
DeleteWe hiked Hell Hole Canyon back in January of 09 but I don't think we went as far as that Palm grove. One of the great advantages of hiking alone is that you can chose your own destinations & make it a point to reach them. Another good hike in the area is Alcoholic Pass on the west side of Coyote Mountain. And don't miss Slot Canyon in the Badlands on the way to Ocotilla Wells. Check with the Nature Center next to Carly's in town & see if they are still doing the Saturday morning Jeep tours. It's free & knowledgeable local people lead the tours. It's a great way to not only see the area but learn about it along the way as well. The State Park has free off road tours as well. We took a Ranger led tour over near the Salton Sea with half a dozen other Jeeps. Always lots to do around Borrego Springs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pointers, Al. I was hoping you would tell me about the jeep tours. I really want to do some jeep exploring, but would like company in case of problems. I will go to Carly's today and check.
DeleteThat hike up through the palm trees and to the falls was strenuous. If I had not run into a couple of young ladies at the palm trees, I would never have gone on up to the falls. But they were so full of energy and told me how beautiful the falls were, so I kept on torturing my feet and made the climb through the boulders to the falls. I think Yuma is tired today.
Definitely, no hikes today. I need to set better limits to stay safe and not get tired and careless.
Thanks to Dolly and your family for keeping this as a pure travel blog - I read to be uplifted and inspired !! Enjoy your day with Yuma !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Moonfly. I did enjoy a slower day Friday, but need to get going again today.
DeleteI loved the picture of Yuma wanting to not go anywhere. The pictures of Hell Hole canyon were awesome! I love all the pictures with Yuma in them. With him in them, it gives dimension to the things around him.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dolly. I will try to keep him in the pictures more often.
DeleteI am in agreement with Yuma...it's a day for flopping in the shade!
ReplyDeleteYesterday was more of a rest day, so today Yuma and I need to get out. He is all clean now, so hopefully we can stay away from springs and lush vegetation. Go for the desert look today.
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